A State Yacht and Other Craft in Calm Water 1655 - 1665

Jan van de Cappelle made this painting of boats in calm water, using oil paints on canvas. The subdued color palette and smooth surface give the image a peaceful, almost dreamlike quality. But consider what it took to make a picture like this. Oil paint doesn’t just appear; it’s the result of grinding pigment into oil, a labor-intensive process. And a canvas is woven and stretched, another skilled task. Think too, about the subject matter. These aren’t just any boats. The large vessel is a state yacht, a symbol of Dutch power and prosperity during the Golden Age. The smaller boats are likely transporting goods and people, part of the bustling maritime economy that made the Netherlands so wealthy. Van de Cappelle was himself the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, and knew firsthand about the world of commerce and trade. He also had the means to spend his time painting. All of these things, from the paint itself to the subject of the painting, speak to the close relationship between art, labor, and the rise of capitalism. By considering these factors, we can appreciate the painting on a deeper level.